The following is from Scott Roder at a company called, The Evidence Room.
I have included only the text from the report, the full document is linked at the end of this post. (Special thanks to @Burma for sharing this.)
Note that the full report includes very sensitive and graphic content.
July 13, 2020
From: Scott Roder, Evidence Specialist
Memo: Scene reconstruction re: Rebecca Zahau
Case Review:
The evening of July 12, 2011 Rebecca Zahau stayed at 1043 Ocean Blvd with her boyfriend’s brother (Adam), who just flew into town. Her boyfriend (Jonah Shacknai) was at Rady Children's Hospital with his 6 year old son, who fell in the home under Zahau’s care the previous morning, suffering life threatening injuries.
On the morning of July 13, 2011, at 6:48 am Adam Shacknai called 911 to report that he emerged from the guest house into the courtyard and found Rebecca hanging by her neck, her hands and feet bound, she was nude and suspended from the second story balcony by a red nylon rope.
Timeline of Events:
July 13 (12:30am): Jonah claims he sent a voicemail message to Rebecca stating that Max’s condition was grave and that his death was imminent.
July 13 (12:50am): Rebecca allegedly retrieves the voicemail message and deletes it, although no proof exists she even heard it at all or exactly what was on the message.
July 13 (1am): Jonah goes to the Ronald McDonald House. Dina (Max Shacknai's mother) stays at Max’s bedside for the night.
July 13 (6:15am-6:30am): Adam Shacknai (Jonah’s Brother) claims to have awakened, masturbated to *advertiser censored* on his iPhone, showered and then headed for the main house to ask Rebecca to join him for breakfast. As he made his way to the main house, he found Rebecca hanging nude from the balcony. He claims to have run to the find a knife, pulled a wooden table beneath her so he could reach to cut her down. *Exact time he discovered body is uncertain.
July 13 (6:48am): Adam’s call to 911 saying he was attempting CPR. He claims the shirt was covering her mouth so he removed it in order to try to perform CPR as instructed by the 911 dispatch (see audio file). Police reports say he hadn’t yet started CPR when they arrived. Jonah claims Adam sent him a text message to alert him that Rebecca hung herself.
Sheriff’s investigation:
The Sheriff’s department concluded that Adam Shacknai cut Rebecca down using a serrated kitchen knife while standing on an outdoor 3 legged table. Removing a portion of the blue shirt which was stuffed in her mouth.
The Sheriff’s department concluded that the knots binding Rebecca’s hands and feet were not of a specialized design and would allow Rebecca to slip her hands in and out of the knots without assistance.
The Sheriff’s department concluded that Rebecca was able to calculate the perfect amount of rope to cut into sections. The red nylon rope was cut to a length of 9 feet 2 inches in length from her neck to the railing. Thereby allowing 26 1/2 inches of space between her feet and the courtyard grounds below.
The Sheriff concluded that Rebecca’s hands were bound behind her back inside a figure eight loop with a [vertical back knot] and her feet also bound around the ankles with the precut sections of the same red nylon rope.
The Sheriff’s investigation also concluded that Rebecca fashioned a blue shirt that was bound and wrapped 3 times around her neck with a portion of it stuffed into her mouth/ throat that was deep enough to gag her and deposit mucus fluids.
The Sheriff’s investigation ultimately accepts the version of events reported by Adam Shacknai, without exception. This is an oddity which puzzles this analyst. Forensic evidence professionals are specifically trained to understand the interrelationship of objective evidence and compare it with scene dynamics to conclude a logical conclusion to a degree of scientific probability.
The Sheriff’s investigation failed to recognize the significance of the blood evidence. Specifically the lack of blood evidence at the scene, one to expect to see if the events the Sheriff concluded are true and factual. This subject is addressed in more detail under section {most probable scenario}.
The investigation also failed to recognize that if their accepted version was factual that Rebecca would have had more physically devastating injuries. The injuries would have been obvious to a trained crime scene professional. This subject its addressed in more detail under section {expected injuries from ‘long drop fall’ hanging} also known as a judicial hanging.
The investigation continues to fail to recognize the potential evidence of an apparent assault upon Rebecca. The evidence demonstrates the fact of (4) separate head injuries. There is no logical scenario in which Rebecca can self-inflict these injuries or that the injuries could have occurred during the alleged ‘long drop fall’ hanging.
The investigation continues to fail again to recognize the evidence of a sexual assault with an object. (Kitchen knife) The knife in reference is documented and analyzed as having Rebecca’s blood covering all aspects of the knife, yet Rebecca has no injuries that could have been caused to produce the blood on the knife with the exception of vaginal and menstrual blood. This subject is addressed in more detail under section {most probable scenario}.
Head Injury:
In 2011 an additional autopsy was conducted by Dr. Cyril H. Wecht following the initial autopsy performed by Dr. Lucas. Both autopsies presented four separate blunt force injuries to Rebecca Zahau’s scalp. Dr. Wecht pointed out that these injuries should not be minimized. The injuries could only have come from something impacting her head. (A smooth, small, blunt, round object). In order to sustain the injuries Rebecca would have to receive four blunt force impacts.
On the right superior parietal scalp there is a 2 x 1 inch subgaleal hemorrhage. On the right lateral frontal scalp there are two subgaleal hemorrhages measuring 3/4 x 1/2 inch and 1/2 x 1/4 inch. On the right lateral frontotemporal scalp, there is a 3/8 inch diameter subgaleal hemorrhage.
Pathological inconsistencies:
Rebecca Zahau's Internal Injuries: The left sternocleidomastoid muscle has a 4 3/4 x 1 3/4 inch area of hemorrhage extending from the clavicle with softening and abundant hemorrhage within the muscle. On the right there is similar hemorrhage measuring 2 x 1/4 inch at the clavicle. Along the medial edge of the right sternocleidomastoid muscle, there are a 1 x 1/4 inch hemorrhage (inferior, near the clavicle and a 1/4 inch diameter hemorrhage (more superior).
There is a 3/8 inch blush of hemorrhage on the inferior portion of the left thyroid muscle.There is a 1/4 inch diameter hemorrhage of the left cricothyroid muscle and corresponding purple discoloration of the tracheal mucosa. There is a corresponding left cricoid fracture anteriorly. It is curved, nondisplaced and is situated approximately 1/8 inch from the anterior midline. There is a hemorrhagic fracture of the left arm of the hyoid bone with downward displacement of the distal end. The fracture is 3/8 inches from the tip. There is a small amount of hemorrhage associated with it. There is also a fracture of the base of the left superior horn of the thyroid cartilage, 5/8 inches from its tip. There is a 3/4 x 1/4 inch subcutaneous hemorrhage over the spinous process below the ligature furrow.There are no fractures of the cervical vertebrae and no epidural, subdural, or subarachnoid hemorrhage of the spinal cord. There is no spinal cord softening. The atlanto-occipital junction is intact.
Expected Injuries from ‘long drop fall’ hanging:
One would expect to find a deeper ligature furrow encompassing the neck. Upon internal examination, fractures of the cervical vertebrae, epidural, subdural, or subarachnoid hemorrhage of the spinal cord are common. Possible spinal cord transection, or at minimum, spinal cord softening. In some cases of traumatic injury from a long drop fall, atlanto-occipital dislocation; internal decapitation, which involves ligamentous separation of the spinal column from the skull base.
Conclusion:
The circumstances of this death are extremely unusual and should be clearly and obviously be considered suspicious and the manner of death indeterminate or Homicide.
There are two possible scenarios in this case, one being suicide which the Medical Examiner Dr. Lucas determines to be the manner of death and the scenario or homicide.
The plausibility of homicide evolving from an altercation inside the bedroom, involving four blunt force impacts to the head, rendering Rebecca unconscious and defenseless. The upper and lower extremities bound by rope. The rope used as a ligature around the neck accompanied by a gag (T shirt) which would ultimately render Rebecca unconscious and defenseless. She was then forced/thrown/lowered over the 16 foot balcony railing to look like a suicide.
The presence of lividity on Rebecca’s back and lack of lividity in Rebecca's lower extremities is yet another inconsistency with the suicide conclusion.
The evidence in this case strongly supports that Rebecca Zahau was assaulted, bound in such a manner that it is highly unlikely for someone to do to themselves and more importantly makes absolutely no logical sense in the accepted version put forth by the Sheriff. There is evidence of another person’s involvement in almost every facet of the crime scene. One has to work very hard to fit the sheriff’s conclusion into evidence.
Most Probable Scenario:
1. Rebecca gets out of the shower wrapped in a towel.
2. Rebecca is experiencing a heavy menstrual period as evidenced by three gravity droplets on the carpet next to her towel.
3. She is confronted/surprised by Adam Shacknai as also supported by Rebecca’s shower towel on the floor next to the three gravity droplets of her menstrual blood.
4. Adam may have had some sort of a sexual motivation toward Rebecca and that he may have attempted to assault her as she exited the shower and in a vulnerable state. This is supported by the impression blood stain next to the three gravity droplets also next to the dropped shower towel. This impression blood stain is evidence that Rebecca’s menstrual blood came in contact directly with the carpet. This could have been caused by her vagina being in direct contact with the carpet or and in addition to another object.
5. It is probable that a struggle ensues between Rebecca and Adam. (The only other person on the premises) As supported by a neighbors statement two doors down who stated on the record that at approximately 11:30 PM she heard a woman screaming for help. (Unfortunately, 911 was not called.)
6. Due to the lack of additional blood evidence and or disturbed items between this location in the hallway and the bedroom and balcony area, it is CERTAIN by the physical and forensic evidence that Rebecca was NOT actively involved in the binding of her feet, wrists and neck.
7. It is probable from the physical and forensic evidence that another person either strangles Rebecca, cuts off the blood to her carotid artery and or also assaulting her to the point of unconsciousness and or helplessness for up to several minutes.
8. This allows time for the assailant to retrieve the rope and kitchen knives to bind her feet hands and measure the rope tied to the bed and create a noose around her neck, gag her mouth and carry Rebecca to the balcony.
9. It is clear from the evidence that Rebecca did NOT free fall from a height of 16 feet
1 Inches while hung by the neck. This is supported strongly by the force produced to the neck anatomy. If Rebecca had free fallen from 16 feet 2 inches she would have had deeper more severe lacerations as well as what is called “hangman’s fracture” along with severe hyperextension of the cervical vertebrae of the neck with spinal cord injury.
10. It is more probable, based on the physical and forensic evidence that Rebecca was manually strangled with the rope ligature causing a fracture to her hyoid bone and cartilage area not typically accessible by way of a judicial free drop vertical hanging.
11. The assailant paints the cryptic 3rd person message on the wall at some point prior to lowering Rebecca off the balcony.
12. 911 was Called by Adam Shacknai at 6:30 in the morning. Audio evidence confirms an additional person is present with Adam.
For all of the above stated reasons and in consultation and review with my esteemed colleagues, experts Forensic Pathologist’s Dr. Wecht and Spitz the conclusion of suicide is not the correct determination for the manner of death of Rebecca Zahau. It is the collective opinion that her death at minimum should be classified as indeterminate but most appropriately as a Homicide.
I reserve the right to modify the contents of this report should additional evidence, discovery or testimony becomes available.
Respectively submitted by,
Scott G. Roder, Evidence Specialist Evidence Room llc roderevidence@icloud.com www.evidemce-room.net 216-502-0400
Link to the full document: (Be aware that one of the links within that document is broken – the link to the drop reconstruction footage.)
Dropbox - ZahauRecon_EvidenceRoom.pdf - Simplify your life
I have included only the text from the report, the full document is linked at the end of this post. (Special thanks to @Burma for sharing this.)
Note that the full report includes very sensitive and graphic content.
July 13, 2020
From: Scott Roder, Evidence Specialist
Memo: Scene reconstruction re: Rebecca Zahau
Case Review:
The evening of July 12, 2011 Rebecca Zahau stayed at 1043 Ocean Blvd with her boyfriend’s brother (Adam), who just flew into town. Her boyfriend (Jonah Shacknai) was at Rady Children's Hospital with his 6 year old son, who fell in the home under Zahau’s care the previous morning, suffering life threatening injuries.
On the morning of July 13, 2011, at 6:48 am Adam Shacknai called 911 to report that he emerged from the guest house into the courtyard and found Rebecca hanging by her neck, her hands and feet bound, she was nude and suspended from the second story balcony by a red nylon rope.
Timeline of Events:
July 13 (12:30am): Jonah claims he sent a voicemail message to Rebecca stating that Max’s condition was grave and that his death was imminent.
July 13 (12:50am): Rebecca allegedly retrieves the voicemail message and deletes it, although no proof exists she even heard it at all or exactly what was on the message.
July 13 (1am): Jonah goes to the Ronald McDonald House. Dina (Max Shacknai's mother) stays at Max’s bedside for the night.
July 13 (6:15am-6:30am): Adam Shacknai (Jonah’s Brother) claims to have awakened, masturbated to *advertiser censored* on his iPhone, showered and then headed for the main house to ask Rebecca to join him for breakfast. As he made his way to the main house, he found Rebecca hanging nude from the balcony. He claims to have run to the find a knife, pulled a wooden table beneath her so he could reach to cut her down. *Exact time he discovered body is uncertain.
July 13 (6:48am): Adam’s call to 911 saying he was attempting CPR. He claims the shirt was covering her mouth so he removed it in order to try to perform CPR as instructed by the 911 dispatch (see audio file). Police reports say he hadn’t yet started CPR when they arrived. Jonah claims Adam sent him a text message to alert him that Rebecca hung herself.
Sheriff’s investigation:
The Sheriff’s department concluded that Adam Shacknai cut Rebecca down using a serrated kitchen knife while standing on an outdoor 3 legged table. Removing a portion of the blue shirt which was stuffed in her mouth.
The Sheriff’s department concluded that the knots binding Rebecca’s hands and feet were not of a specialized design and would allow Rebecca to slip her hands in and out of the knots without assistance.
The Sheriff’s department concluded that Rebecca was able to calculate the perfect amount of rope to cut into sections. The red nylon rope was cut to a length of 9 feet 2 inches in length from her neck to the railing. Thereby allowing 26 1/2 inches of space between her feet and the courtyard grounds below.
The Sheriff concluded that Rebecca’s hands were bound behind her back inside a figure eight loop with a [vertical back knot] and her feet also bound around the ankles with the precut sections of the same red nylon rope.
The Sheriff’s investigation also concluded that Rebecca fashioned a blue shirt that was bound and wrapped 3 times around her neck with a portion of it stuffed into her mouth/ throat that was deep enough to gag her and deposit mucus fluids.
The Sheriff’s investigation ultimately accepts the version of events reported by Adam Shacknai, without exception. This is an oddity which puzzles this analyst. Forensic evidence professionals are specifically trained to understand the interrelationship of objective evidence and compare it with scene dynamics to conclude a logical conclusion to a degree of scientific probability.
The Sheriff’s investigation failed to recognize the significance of the blood evidence. Specifically the lack of blood evidence at the scene, one to expect to see if the events the Sheriff concluded are true and factual. This subject is addressed in more detail under section {most probable scenario}.
The investigation also failed to recognize that if their accepted version was factual that Rebecca would have had more physically devastating injuries. The injuries would have been obvious to a trained crime scene professional. This subject its addressed in more detail under section {expected injuries from ‘long drop fall’ hanging} also known as a judicial hanging.
The investigation continues to fail to recognize the potential evidence of an apparent assault upon Rebecca. The evidence demonstrates the fact of (4) separate head injuries. There is no logical scenario in which Rebecca can self-inflict these injuries or that the injuries could have occurred during the alleged ‘long drop fall’ hanging.
The investigation continues to fail again to recognize the evidence of a sexual assault with an object. (Kitchen knife) The knife in reference is documented and analyzed as having Rebecca’s blood covering all aspects of the knife, yet Rebecca has no injuries that could have been caused to produce the blood on the knife with the exception of vaginal and menstrual blood. This subject is addressed in more detail under section {most probable scenario}.
Head Injury:
In 2011 an additional autopsy was conducted by Dr. Cyril H. Wecht following the initial autopsy performed by Dr. Lucas. Both autopsies presented four separate blunt force injuries to Rebecca Zahau’s scalp. Dr. Wecht pointed out that these injuries should not be minimized. The injuries could only have come from something impacting her head. (A smooth, small, blunt, round object). In order to sustain the injuries Rebecca would have to receive four blunt force impacts.
On the right superior parietal scalp there is a 2 x 1 inch subgaleal hemorrhage. On the right lateral frontal scalp there are two subgaleal hemorrhages measuring 3/4 x 1/2 inch and 1/2 x 1/4 inch. On the right lateral frontotemporal scalp, there is a 3/8 inch diameter subgaleal hemorrhage.
Pathological inconsistencies:
Rebecca Zahau's Internal Injuries: The left sternocleidomastoid muscle has a 4 3/4 x 1 3/4 inch area of hemorrhage extending from the clavicle with softening and abundant hemorrhage within the muscle. On the right there is similar hemorrhage measuring 2 x 1/4 inch at the clavicle. Along the medial edge of the right sternocleidomastoid muscle, there are a 1 x 1/4 inch hemorrhage (inferior, near the clavicle and a 1/4 inch diameter hemorrhage (more superior).
There is a 3/8 inch blush of hemorrhage on the inferior portion of the left thyroid muscle.There is a 1/4 inch diameter hemorrhage of the left cricothyroid muscle and corresponding purple discoloration of the tracheal mucosa. There is a corresponding left cricoid fracture anteriorly. It is curved, nondisplaced and is situated approximately 1/8 inch from the anterior midline. There is a hemorrhagic fracture of the left arm of the hyoid bone with downward displacement of the distal end. The fracture is 3/8 inches from the tip. There is a small amount of hemorrhage associated with it. There is also a fracture of the base of the left superior horn of the thyroid cartilage, 5/8 inches from its tip. There is a 3/4 x 1/4 inch subcutaneous hemorrhage over the spinous process below the ligature furrow.There are no fractures of the cervical vertebrae and no epidural, subdural, or subarachnoid hemorrhage of the spinal cord. There is no spinal cord softening. The atlanto-occipital junction is intact.
Expected Injuries from ‘long drop fall’ hanging:
One would expect to find a deeper ligature furrow encompassing the neck. Upon internal examination, fractures of the cervical vertebrae, epidural, subdural, or subarachnoid hemorrhage of the spinal cord are common. Possible spinal cord transection, or at minimum, spinal cord softening. In some cases of traumatic injury from a long drop fall, atlanto-occipital dislocation; internal decapitation, which involves ligamentous separation of the spinal column from the skull base.
Conclusion:
The circumstances of this death are extremely unusual and should be clearly and obviously be considered suspicious and the manner of death indeterminate or Homicide.
There are two possible scenarios in this case, one being suicide which the Medical Examiner Dr. Lucas determines to be the manner of death and the scenario or homicide.
The plausibility of homicide evolving from an altercation inside the bedroom, involving four blunt force impacts to the head, rendering Rebecca unconscious and defenseless. The upper and lower extremities bound by rope. The rope used as a ligature around the neck accompanied by a gag (T shirt) which would ultimately render Rebecca unconscious and defenseless. She was then forced/thrown/lowered over the 16 foot balcony railing to look like a suicide.
The presence of lividity on Rebecca’s back and lack of lividity in Rebecca's lower extremities is yet another inconsistency with the suicide conclusion.
The evidence in this case strongly supports that Rebecca Zahau was assaulted, bound in such a manner that it is highly unlikely for someone to do to themselves and more importantly makes absolutely no logical sense in the accepted version put forth by the Sheriff. There is evidence of another person’s involvement in almost every facet of the crime scene. One has to work very hard to fit the sheriff’s conclusion into evidence.
Most Probable Scenario:
1. Rebecca gets out of the shower wrapped in a towel.
2. Rebecca is experiencing a heavy menstrual period as evidenced by three gravity droplets on the carpet next to her towel.
3. She is confronted/surprised by Adam Shacknai as also supported by Rebecca’s shower towel on the floor next to the three gravity droplets of her menstrual blood.
4. Adam may have had some sort of a sexual motivation toward Rebecca and that he may have attempted to assault her as she exited the shower and in a vulnerable state. This is supported by the impression blood stain next to the three gravity droplets also next to the dropped shower towel. This impression blood stain is evidence that Rebecca’s menstrual blood came in contact directly with the carpet. This could have been caused by her vagina being in direct contact with the carpet or and in addition to another object.
5. It is probable that a struggle ensues between Rebecca and Adam. (The only other person on the premises) As supported by a neighbors statement two doors down who stated on the record that at approximately 11:30 PM she heard a woman screaming for help. (Unfortunately, 911 was not called.)
6. Due to the lack of additional blood evidence and or disturbed items between this location in the hallway and the bedroom and balcony area, it is CERTAIN by the physical and forensic evidence that Rebecca was NOT actively involved in the binding of her feet, wrists and neck.
7. It is probable from the physical and forensic evidence that another person either strangles Rebecca, cuts off the blood to her carotid artery and or also assaulting her to the point of unconsciousness and or helplessness for up to several minutes.
8. This allows time for the assailant to retrieve the rope and kitchen knives to bind her feet hands and measure the rope tied to the bed and create a noose around her neck, gag her mouth and carry Rebecca to the balcony.
9. It is clear from the evidence that Rebecca did NOT free fall from a height of 16 feet
1 Inches while hung by the neck. This is supported strongly by the force produced to the neck anatomy. If Rebecca had free fallen from 16 feet 2 inches she would have had deeper more severe lacerations as well as what is called “hangman’s fracture” along with severe hyperextension of the cervical vertebrae of the neck with spinal cord injury.
10. It is more probable, based on the physical and forensic evidence that Rebecca was manually strangled with the rope ligature causing a fracture to her hyoid bone and cartilage area not typically accessible by way of a judicial free drop vertical hanging.
11. The assailant paints the cryptic 3rd person message on the wall at some point prior to lowering Rebecca off the balcony.
12. 911 was Called by Adam Shacknai at 6:30 in the morning. Audio evidence confirms an additional person is present with Adam.
For all of the above stated reasons and in consultation and review with my esteemed colleagues, experts Forensic Pathologist’s Dr. Wecht and Spitz the conclusion of suicide is not the correct determination for the manner of death of Rebecca Zahau. It is the collective opinion that her death at minimum should be classified as indeterminate but most appropriately as a Homicide.
I reserve the right to modify the contents of this report should additional evidence, discovery or testimony becomes available.
Respectively submitted by,
Scott G. Roder, Evidence Specialist Evidence Room llc roderevidence@icloud.com www.evidemce-room.net 216-502-0400
Link to the full document: (Be aware that one of the links within that document is broken – the link to the drop reconstruction footage.)
Dropbox - ZahauRecon_EvidenceRoom.pdf - Simplify your life
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